Stabbed teacher was due to retire after 40 years at Leeds college

A MUCH-LOVED teacher who was knifed to death in front of pupils was just months away from retiring.

Spanish teacher Ann Maguire, 61, was due to retire in September after working at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds for more than 40 years, chair of governors Martin Dowling said today.

A tribute to spanish teacher, Ann Maguire, left by former student Lucy Potter outside the college grounds

Mr Dowling paid tribute to the "wonderful, dedicated teacher", as did Corpus Christi headteacher Steve Mort, who said Mrs Maguire would have opposed any move towards introducing metal detectors into schools.

The killing of a teacher as she taught her normal Spanish class has prompted calls to look again at security in British schools.

But Mr Mort said his view was that scanning arches were not necessary and people had to remember this was an "isolated" and "unprecedented" incident.

"And I think ultimately Ann Maguire herself, if she was asked that question, would strongly oppose any suggestion that we should have metal detectors in this school," he said.

Members of the local community light candles as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Ann Maguire

Mrs Maguire went to Corpus Christi as a student and, last year, the school held a celebration of her 40 years at the school. This year, Mr Dowling said, she moved to working four days a week ahead of her planned retirement in five months' time.

Mr Mort said he last spoke to Mrs Maguire yesterday morning after a staff briefing when she was her usual "bubbly" self.

"She was enjoying the latter end of her career although I know, to Ann, that her service to Corpus Christi was not a career," the headteacher said. "She considered it to be a vocation."

Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy who was arrested at the school after he was detained by staff.

The school remained opened today and around 750 of the 1,000 pupils turned up for lessons. All have been offered a range of support and Mr Mort said the 30 children who were closest to the incident have been intensively supported.

Those students leaving tonight said it had been a difficult day as they recalled the events of yesterday morning.

Tia Hope, 14, laid flowers with her mother Paula.

"It was just really depressing," she said. "It was like no one could believe it had actually happened."

Tia said the head brought the children together in an assembly and told them he was proud of how mature they had all been in the last 24 hours.

Her mother said: "Everyone's still just so shocked. Mrs Maguire was one of the best teachers. I really feel for her family."

Other youngsters outside the gates stopped to look at the hundreds of bouquets of flowers which are now spread along a 50-yard stretch of the school's railings.

They said the school was alive with chat about how the youth who attacked Mrs Maguire walked from the back of the class and produced a knife before stabbing her multiple times.

He said: " The pupils who witnessed this incident are still being interviewed by specialist officers who are very experienced in dealing with child witnesses and will ensure that their safety is paramount.

"This is clearly an unprecedented and tragic incident which has left the school and wider community in a state of shock."

Mrs Maguire's death is thought to be the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom, and the first killing of a teacher in a school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.

Mr Dowling said: " The children have been absolutely amazing this morning. We've had assemblies, services and the children have responded in a magnificent manner, as have the staff also."

Nigel Richardson, director of children's services at Leeds City Council, also paid tribute to Mrs Maguire.

He said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ann's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

"Ann was an amazing, inspirational teacher, and a pillar of the local community and a real asset to the city of Leeds."

Chief Inspector Nik Adams, who leads neighbourhood policing in the area, paid tribute to all the staff and pupils for coming in.

He said: "This is an horrific incident. It's unprecedented nationally but very much in this local community it's something which has caused a great deal of shock and distress, as you can imagine.

"This is very much an isolated incident. This is not part of a wider problem that exists locally here."

He said the school had been found to have "absolutely no issues in terms of weapons".

Mr Adams added that the incident was "in no way a reflection of either problems or concerns that exist in this school".

Earlier today, many of Mrs Maguire's former pupils attended mass at Corpus Christi Church, which is connected to the school.

Many were in tears as the 150-strong congregation was led in prayers for the popular teacher by Monsignor Paul Fisher.

Mrs Maguire, who was head of Year 11 at the school for more than 10 years, lived in the Moortown area of Leeds with her husband Donald, who is believed to be a retired maths teacher.

She is understood to have two grown-up daughters - professional dancer Emma, who has been a member of the Royal Ballet since 2002, and osteopath Kerry, who also trained as a ballerina.

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: "It is with deep sadness that I heard of the tragic death of Ann Maguire at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.

"Our deepest condolences are with Ann Maguire's family, friends and work colleagues, as well as the pupils at the school.

"We are shocked about the death of this dedicated and loved teacher.

"Teachers are doing vital and essential work with our children and young people every day, and they should not have to face verbal or physical violence. But we should remember that yesterday's events are extremely rare.

"When we learn more about the circumstances, it may be that there are lessons to be learned, but for now, pupils, staff and families need our support."